The causes of earthquakes
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe and explain what causes an earthquake.
Key learning points
- Earth is composed of four layers: the crust, mantle, outer core and inner core.
- Movement in the tectonic plates that form Earth’s crust causes earthquakes.
- Earthquakes occur at plate boundaries.
Keywords
Earth’s crust - Earth’s crust is the outermost layer of our planet.
Tectonic plates - The huge pieces that Earth’s crust is broken into are known as tectonic plates.
Shock waves - Shock waves are areas of sudden high pressure or temperature that travel through water, air or the ground.
Plate boundaries - The point where two tectonic plates meet is known as a plate boundary.
Common misconception
Earthquakes are random events.
Earthquakes are not random events, but are a consequence of tectonic plate movement.
Teacher tip
To explain tectonic plate movement, an egg can be used. The shell is the Earth's crust, the white is the mantle and the yolk is the core. You can use a hardboiled egg with the shell cracked to show how the tectonic plates fit together like a jigsaw.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What shape is the Earth?
Q2.Where do earthquakes occur?
Q3.What is an earthquake?
Q4.The Earth's crust is broken up into huge pieces. What are these called?
Q5.Which of these are natural hazards?
Q6.The layer of the Earth on which humans live is called the ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which layer is the outermost layer of the Earth?
Q2.Which layer of the Earth sits between the crust and the outer core?
Q3.Match each layer of the Earth to the correct description.
the outermost layer of the Earth
the largest layer of the Earth
the layer that surrounds the inner core
the layer at the centre of the Earth
Q4.What are tectonic plates?
Q5.What causes earthquakes?
Q6.Where do most earthquakes occur?
To help you plan your 6 geography lesson on: The causes of earthquakes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 geography lesson on: The causes of earthquakes, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 geography lessons from the Earthquakes: how do they change the world? unit, dive into the full primary geography curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.